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Love Never Happens #1

Love Never Happens with your Brother's Best Friend

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A previous cover edition for this ASIN can be found here

The day Brodie Kent kissed me was the beginning but also the end.

Heartbroken and angry doesn’t come close to how I felt when he left town, and me, to pursue his football dreams.

Fine. Good.

He has his life. And I have mine.

Except, Brodie’s mega-star, hard-partying player’s flirty love-life is all over the news and social media channels.

He’s pretty hard to ignore.

Annoyingly, his boyish good looks are on every screen and other people’s phones.

Then, years after Our Kiss, and out of the blue, Brodie is back in Oak River.

Cool. I can handle it.

I am not falling for his charms again.

But a teenage crush is a powerful thing and perhaps Brodie Kent is not the guy in the gossip section of national news.

There’s another reason why he left town and stayed away.

Maybe I’ll find out when we’re camping alone together.

But wait a minute... There’s only one tent.


Love Never Happens with your Brother’s Best Friend is a dual POV, low-heat, closed-door, stand-alone romcom with loads of laughs, swoony kisses, and a newsworthy happily-ever-ahhhfter.

Trigger The story centers on accusations of sexual he said, she said. I acknowledge that this is a serious subject, but I’ve used ‘accusation’ as dramatic vehicle to drive the light, fun romcom narrative. Maybe don’t read this book if you think it will cause upset.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2025

136 people are currently reading
314 people want to read

About the author

Francesca Spencer

18 books101 followers
Read 'Mr Off-Limits Grump' for free. Just click on www.francescaspencerauthor.com

A bit about me...
My stories are loaded with funny stuff, coincidence, drama and love.

I pull out all the action and comedy, which is usually tragic and accident laden - add some romance if it's romcom - and package it up in a satisfying narrative tied up with a big pink shiny satin bow.

Tadaah! Here you go. Enjoy.

I'm a compulsive traveller. In fact, it's almost an addiction. I have to move around. To fund this expensive hobby, I've worked as an international primary school teacher in a number of countries, for a number of years, which has supplied its own rewards and serviced a mountain of writing material.

When I'm not teaching or having marvellous adventures, I'm visiting friends and family and writing books.

Award Winners
'Stuck With My Christmas Crush' Gold medal - Global Book Awards 2024 (Christmas category)

'Mr Billionaire Boss Grump' 2nd Place - Incipere Awards 2025 (Clean Romance)

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5 stars
73 (28%)
4 stars
83 (32%)
3 stars
69 (26%)
2 stars
26 (10%)
1 star
8 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for MyBookNest7.
210 reviews
May 15, 2024
A fun and quick read, Rita and Brodie's story still has tons of history. They were truly just kids when they parted and when life brings them together in their hometown, they can finally clear the misunderstanding. Safe to say that Rita is not among the people who claim that love never happens with your brother's best friend! ;)

Thank you for my advance copy, I had a lovely time reading this one.
Profile Image for Randi Sampson.
1,765 reviews94 followers
May 14, 2024
This was a super cute read! As the story begins, Brodie is being (wrongfully) accused of some misconduct and as such is put on a leave from his professional football career. To get away from the spotlight, he heads back to his hometown where he hasn't returned since leaving years earlier. As the story goes on, we slowly get bits and pieces of the events that happened prior to his leaving between him and Rita that had kept him away for so long. Each piece of history we were given made me want them to finally get their happily ever after that much more. They had a sweet chemistry and there's just something about a second chance with a high school crush that is really fun. I also really enjoyed that while Brodie is this tough athlete, he's completely out of his element out in the wilderness... which certainly leads to some funny moments that had me laughing out loud. While their romance may have been very quick, it was cute and enjoyable.

Love Never Happens with Your Brother's Best Friend is a closed-door romance with kisses only. There is one very minor swear as well.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for MaryBeth.
120 reviews3 followers
May 20, 2024
This was a sweet second chance story about two people who never really got together in high school. They each had a crush on the other during high school and through poor timing and stupid teenage choices, were never a couple. Brodie moves away and becomes a famous football player. When Brodie finds himself in a public relations nightmare, he goes home to wait for it to blow over and reunites with his best friend and his best friend’s little sister who is still the love of his life.

I enjoyed this romantic story which used several of my favorite tropes. This story has second chances, best friend’s sister, famous love interest and enemies to lovers. Both of the main characters are likable on their own and make a really sweet couple.

This book is well written and engaging. I have read several of Francesca’s books and I have enjoyed all of them. She knows how to write a story that draws you in and makes it impossible to put down. If you like sweet, romantic, slow-burn stories, pick this one up.
Profile Image for Marie.
821 reviews16 followers
May 15, 2024
When Rita was fourteen she had a secret crush on her brother's best friend Brodie. After a day at the swimming pond he kissed her and told her he loved her. Then he left to pursue his Football career. She became a model after graduation and after a few years burnt herself out returning home. She loved the quiet peaceful life in Oak River with her family close by. Then out of the blue ten years later Brodie turns back up in his old hometown under a dark cloud after rumours and being asked by his team to take some leave. The moment he sees Rita he knows she's still the one for him. But she not interested then when everything comes to a head can they really go back to how they were or has too much water gone under the bridge. This is a sweet easy to read story both main characters have trust issues and maybe a few misunderstandings. It's a lovely story that just pulls you in the perfect easy to read summer read 💖📖💕
Profile Image for Tara Higgins.
293 reviews
May 19, 2024
I absolutely loved this book. It’s a closed door romantic comedy that takes place in a small rural town called Oak River. Rita and Dylan are siblings that grew up in Oak River along with Dylan’s best friend Brodie. In the present, Brodie is now a professional quarterback who is living in the limelight. He runs into a media controversy and the team he plays for asks him to go on leave and lay low. Brodie decided to go back Oak River and visit his best friend Dylan. Brodie hasn’t been back since he left at 15 years old for a high quality school with a great football program. Rita is working at her friend’s cafe and helping her brother, Dylan, with guiding camping trips. Rita is not thrilled about Brodie coming back because she had a crush on him and then he left after kissing her. Brodie has loved Rita since that kiss but feels she hates him. Everyone goes on a camping trip and it ends up with Rita, Brodie and one tent. There is no third act breakup and there is a happily ever after.
Profile Image for MommyO.
372 reviews
May 20, 2024
Okay, this was a swoon worthy read when looking for a light hearted romance that has a very mild sizzle. Rita and Brodie’s romance finally gains some traction after they have a heart to heart conversation that clears up a lot of misunderstandings. It’s one of those storylines that gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling with light humor and a HEA. I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

1,289 reviews23 followers
January 14, 2025
Two childhood friends who were in love with each other met again after some ten years apart and after some rocky moments from the girl find that the feelings they had previously are still there.

Brodie Kent left his small hometown to pursue his dream of playing football and became a star and had
success and fame until a scandal erupts and he decides to return to his home town to lie low and spend time with his best friend growing up. He re meets his friend’s little sister who he had a crush on but she is cool towards him now. Is it because of the scandal or is it something else?

When his friend asks him to go on a overnight hike with him as he takes a family hiking he agrees and is surprised to see his little sister Rita show up that morning as well. When the family decides to return shortly after they’ve been on the trail, Brodie and Rita remain as her brother takes them back. They start talking and after spending the day and the next day with each other they clear the air so to speak and Rita tells Brodie why she feels like she does about him. His response shocks her when she realizes she
had misjudged him all these years and believes he is innocent of the accusations against him.

This is a wonderful story of giving love a second chance with the one you never got over when you were younger. I really enjoyed this book and heartily
recommend it as one I know you’ll enjoy reading as well!

Francesca weaves a story that is so believable that it
could actually take place in real life! The characters come alive and you get to experience their hopes and feel their pain as well as they relive the past between them.

I recommend you read more of Francesca’s books when you’ve finished this one! I know you’ll fall in love with her books and characters she has created just as much as I have!
Profile Image for Araya.
175 reviews14 followers
May 23, 2024
Arc Review:
Overall Rating: 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Sweet Fun Romcom
- Enemies To Lovers
- Second Chance
- Cinnamon Roll, Football Hero
- Small Town
- Forced Proximity
- Swoony Kisses
- Brothers Best Friend
- Loads Of Laughs
- & A Ginormous HEA

This is a cute, fun, quick and clean read, with a happy ending that will make you feel good.

Summary:
Brodie is a football player who is being wrongfully accused of some misconduct and is forced by the or team to lay low and stay out of the media as they try to clear up the situation. Brodie decides to visit his hometown that he hasn’t been back to in years.
Rita is an ex-model who just decided that she enjoyed the simple life instead of the extravagant lifestyle of a model.
Brodie is Rita’s older brothers best friend and also her childhood crush, but Rita is Brodies best friends little sister and also his childhood crush. Now that Brodie is back maybe these 2 crazy kids can finally have there happily ever after.

I think Brodie and Rita had great chemistry and the moments they shared were always so cute to read about. Hands down the best part of the book was when they were camping together.
Profile Image for Erica.
415 reviews15 followers
January 28, 2025
I would rate this 4 1/2 stars!

I received an ARC of this book and it is so good. This is a brother’s best friend and second chance romance book. Brodie and Rita are the main people in the book. Brodie is a famous football player. Rita is an ex model who moved back home and works at a coffee shop. A lot happened in this book. Brodie reconnected with Rita and had some sweet times together. The camping part was hilarious and sweet. I was so happy to see an epilogue in this book as a lot of books don’t have them but I love knowing about their future together. I also love Rita’s family. I am hoping to see a book about her brother as he stole my heart as well as Brodie. Overall, this was a really cute book.
1 review
May 25, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! There is a lot that happened ,but one thing that I liked was when Rita and Brodie got a chance to clear out the misunderstanding they had. Sometimes lack of communication leads to people having differences and arguments that should not have been there in the first place and the author showed us the importance of communication. I also loved how both Rita and Brodie were certain about how they feel for each other, and I loved how Brodie was going out of his way to win Rita over, I do love myself a man who knows what he wants! Absolutely recommend this book, a clean romantic book for people who prefer reading clean books.
Just a disclaimer, I received a free copy of the book as I was part of the ARC team.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Tami Willard.
2,391 reviews15 followers
August 31, 2025
TRIGGER WARNING: Deals with sexual misconduct accusations.
Brody was best friends with Rita's brother growing up. They lost touch when he left to pursue his dreams of becoming a football player due to a misunderstanding. What happens when he returns with accusations of abandoning a girl after getting her pregnant? How does Rita react when she hears his side? Will they be able to get closure for the past? When all the facts come out can they rebuild their relationship or is it too late?
I received a copy of this book from the author. Review voluntarily given.
632 reviews4 followers
June 21, 2024
I loved it! I loved that the woman had the same name as me! I loved it since it was a rom com and I love the light trying to find each other and worrying about what happens then?

Will they try to find what they had when they were teenagers? All set in a small town where everybody can run into anybody! The cafe and being a trail guide with her brother and one night she uses all of her forestry training!

I really did love it and would suggest you put it on your thr pile! I received this free But, that didn’t change my review!
Profile Image for Sheri Bolinger.
423 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2025
This book was great! Brodie, our football player MMC, is so sweet, fun-loving, and sexy. Rita, our ex-model, animal and environment loving, big hearted, a little bit snarky FMC. These two had so many sparks between them. Their banter was great! While the situation that brings them back together isn't the greatest, I loved watching these two reconnect. Their banter made me laugh out loud several times. I was getting strange looks from my family!! This book is so worth the read. I love all of this author's books, and this one is no exception! You will love it as much as I did!
Profile Image for MacKenzie Emery.
572 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2024
This is a dual pov, clean romance. I absolutely loved the family in this story. They are so supportive and honestly Rita’s mom made me laugh with the scene in the kitchen. I enjoyed how wholesome Brodie and Rita’s feelings were and that they could open up and be themselves around each other. I think the hiking and camping and being away from the world truly helped kick start these two back into friendship and it was adorable. I’m hoping we get a story for Dylan and Kate too!
Profile Image for Brandi.
88 reviews
May 24, 2024
This is a clean, fun read! Brodie and Rita have some really good chemistry between them. The camping scene was by far my favorite part of the story. The only reason it wasn't five stars for me is that I personally like a little longer stories than this, so I feel like the conflict is solved a little slower. Overall, though, it's a fast fun read that I'll definitely read again!
Profile Image for Suzanne Benson.
94 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2024
I really fell in love with this story. Loving a childhood friend and realizing they are the one. Your forever. A major misunderstanding kept them apart, but then other things brought them back in each others lives. After much talking and funny mishaps they figure out what happened that kept them apart. I highly recommend this book. Francesca did a wonderful job.
410 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2024
A sweet quick read with only one tent! A fun brothers best friend I enjoyed the conversation between Rita and her brother with the family they are taking on their hike and found the teenagers response to the "great outdoors" incredibly on point and accurate.
I received an ARC; this is my honest review.
4,589 reviews31 followers
June 1, 2024
As I expected, this was a fun story. I’m not so old that I can’t remember that first kiss and the excitement and feelings that accompanied it. Unfortunately, a misunderstanding kept things from developing. Now Brodie’s back, considered a bad boy of football, and hard to resist. Okay, Rita’s not really trying too hard. I can easily recommend this book.
Profile Image for Courtnie ~ courtniemustreads.
256 reviews6 followers
May 17, 2024
This was such a cute read! I really enjoyed this second chance, kisses only romantic comedy. Rita and Brodie are sweet together and I love how their story! If you are looking for a fun, clean quick romantic comedy, then this is the book for you!
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,206 reviews85 followers
May 13, 2024
Fun romantic comedy.. Cute and entertaining.. Misunderstandings and reunions..
Profile Image for Darla Marie.
246 reviews2 followers
May 17, 2024
This was a cute quick read. Brodie and Rita find each other after years apart and I loved the hiking and swimming hole scenes. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4

I received an ARC for my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Brandy Womack.
98 reviews
December 31, 2025
The book itself was a cheesy romance, which I wanted, but the AI voicing was horrendous. No inflection, mispronounced words, so bad. 
Profile Image for Heidi.
1,241 reviews
July 23, 2025
Content: Clean

I guess I'll be generous with 3 Stars. Nothing wrong with it. But nothing stand outish about it. The ending done in interview style was a bit annoying too.
Profile Image for Ashley.
238 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2025
Plot: Rita got her heart broken at the age of 14, when her one true love moved away to pursue football. But now, he’s back in their small town and they get stuck on overnight camping trip alone, in the mountains, with only one tent. How will their time together change their friendship? Will she be able to get over the betrayal she felt all those years ago? What was his take on him moving away?

What I liked: I liked that they were given an opportunity to discuss with one another. I also like they were able to laugh about their miscommunication. There also wasn’t a third act break up, which I always appreciate.

What I didn’t like: I didn’t like how fast they went from practically enemies to engaged. It felt very quick and not super natural. I also didn’t like that people were believing the lies about Brodie, when he had proved multiple times that that wasn’t his character.

Swearing: none

Physical intimacy level: closed door

Star rating: four stars

Trope: enemies to lovers, Brother’s best friend, sports romance, small town romance, football romance, Second Chance romance
370 reviews4 followers
May 21, 2024
Is a sweet close proximity, second chance, romcom romance with no cliffhanger.
Some of the lines I really liked ----- "I don't want to turn on my phone when I'm on a trail. I like being free from the virtual World Wide Web and more connected to the physical earth. You know? The natural real world away from all of that electronic stuff." ----- "Alright. So I heard that a camper here a few years back... or it may have been last year. No. Last week. Anyway. He visited the convenience over there and, no sooner had he sat down comfortably to, you know, than some enormous insect attracted itself to the flesh of his buttock and bit down so hard, the poor man needed surgery to remove a mandible and therapy for the psychological trauma." ------
What is Nancy up to? Why is she trying to destroy Brodie? These and other questions will all be answered.
I loved Rita and Brodie's story. I received a free ARC and this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for JoAnne.
3,153 reviews32 followers
June 21, 2025
LOVE NEVER HAPPENS WITH YOUR BROTHER’S BEST FRIEND is a sweet romantic comedy by Francesca Spencer. This is Rita and Brodie’s story and their emotions ran the gamut.

The story is told by the them in alternating chapters. There are lots of outdoor scenes, which were very descriptive and made me feel like I was there. Rita’s family embraces Brody when he returns to the town where he grew up after a scandal hits. He’s a professional football player and she’s a retired model and when their paths cross again ten years later neither could have expected how they would react and where they would end up.

Set in a small town we get to know a little bit about Rita’s family. There were a few stories being told, but most of the storyline is dealing with the untrue scandal that’s rocking his world. The story has closure with a happily ever after and I like how the epilogue rounded out the story.
1,393 reviews16 followers
May 23, 2024
I have never read anything by Francesca Spencer before, OMG this was fantastic!!! What a super cute read! Brodie Kent is the Boston Bullets Quarterback. Their is a story that appears that Brodie gets mixed up with a Senators daughter. Brodie denies this happening. He is taken off the team temporarily, until this is resolved. Brodie goes back home to visit his best friend Dylan, and Dylan's sister Rita. Rita and Brodie dated in high school, and had kissed. When Brodie left for college-football; he never came back, or reached out to Rita. Rita always thought that Brodie never meant what he said; that he loved her. Was that just a misunderstanding, or did he not mean it? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Spencer!!!
136 reviews3 followers
May 18, 2024
LOVED this book!!! Brodie (football player) and Rita (hometown girl) from a small town fell in love when young. Due to a misunderstanding they parted ways and Rita holds a grudge against Brodie. Brodie has never stopped loving her after all these years which has prevented him from committing to another relationship. A fan accuses him of misconduct and even though he denies it Brodie is forced to take leave. He returns to his hometown to escape from the publicity. During a tumultuous reunion, love finally wins out! They finally get their own HEA after a rocky ride together. Francesca has written another WINNER!!🥇. Thanks for a clean and entertaining story that leaves the reader with a smile. Sweet story! Hurry and purchase your own copy, you’ll be glad you did 😊
1,124 reviews5 followers
May 24, 2024
'Love Never Happens with Your Brother's Best Friend' was enthralling. The plot was filled with an unfortunate accusal, a hometown reunion, an announcement, a hiking adventure, childhood reminiscing, throwing pinecones, crossing the stream, a confession of a sighting, setting the record straight, an interesting confession, expressing doubts, and love.
Also, Brodie and Rita, the protagonists, were ideally suited for each other. I kept rooting for them. Furthermore, I liked the author's use of vivid descriptions and imagery which created an upbeat tone. Overall, I liked the lively narrative.
I received a copy for free and am voluntarily giving my honest review.
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